Sudbourne library is something that all the children and staff are very proud of. In a recent survey of how children felt about the school, the library scored highly across all three phases and was cited as a “relaxing”  “fun” and  “whacky” environment and was voted as one of the three best things about the school day (along with cricket and swimming).

How the library began

Sudbourne’s library was started in 2007. It was originally set up in response to a growing problem with literacy in the school, which was summed up by the children as“ reading is something we only do with our teacher”.

A group of governors, teachers and parents felt so passionately about reading that it was decided to tackle the problem head-on. They asked the children what would encourage them to read and they said “good books…not reading books” “books about football” “nice places to read”.

The general trend appeared to be that children did not have access to quality books that inspired reading for pleasure. So the committee decided to take the big step of creating a library in the school – a welcoming, attractive place, full of books that would inspire a life-long love of reading.

In October 2007, after a gargantuan effort by parents and Cassie Smith, (then assistant head) the library was opened and the children began to borrow books. A few months later a librarian was appointed and the library was up and running.

The library aims to retain the focus of the children by keeping the visiting experience as a fun and relaxing time. Children visit with their class teacher once a week and can borrow a book for three weeks. Juniors can come in during lunchtime to browse, change a book or have a quiet read. Year six children are appointed as library monitors and can do jobs for the library during their lunch breaks.

Thanks to PTA funds, donations of books and fund-raising schemes, we now have a thoroughly up to date stock of fiction and non-fiction books totalling 8500. The librarian regularly notifies children via posters or PowerPoint presentations during assembly, of new acquisitions to whet their appetites. The library also has regular clubs and organises several events a year to keep the children feeling that it is a lively, exciting place to be.